Three more MDP members ordered to leave the floor after being named by the Speaker
Three members of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) were ordered to leave the parliamentary floor today after protesting against what they alleged were procedural violations by the Speaker in granting floor time. Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla named Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad, Galolhu South MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem, and Keyodhoo MP Mohamed Niushad for disrupting the proceedings. The sitting was briefly adjourned after the members refused to leave the chamber and only resumed once they were removed from the floor.
The Speaker named Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad, Galolhu South MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem, and Keyodhoo MP Mohamed Niushad following a protest by MDP members in front of the administrative desk on 10 February 2026. | People's Majlis | People's Majlis
After naming and removing MDP Member for the Kendhoo constituency, Mauroof Zakir, from the floor of the People's Majlis, three additional members from the same party have also been named and ordered to leave the chamber.
During Tuesday's People's Majlis sitting, the Committee on Independent Institutions presented its report following a review of the proposed constitutional amendment to synchronize presidential and parliamentary elections. The floor subsequently opened for debate on the committee's findings.
During the debate, Ibrahim Falah, the Member for Inguraidhoo and Parliamentary Group Leader of the PNC, requested a second opportunity to speak. Once the chair granted him the floor, Hussain Ziyad, the Member for Vaikaradhoo, raised a point of order.
Ziyad stated that the Chair’s decision to grant Falah a second opportunity to speak while his own initial request was still pending was a violation of parliamentary regulations. He further noted that, according to the rules of procedure, a member requesting a second turn should only be granted the floor after those awaiting their first opportunity have spoken.
Responding to the matter, Speaker of the Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla, who was presiding over the session, stated that the opportunities to speak were being granted in accordance with the regulations. He further clarified that the floor was being given following the sequence recorded in the portal.
Following this, Ziyad staged a protest in front of the Speaker's desk. He was joined by several other members of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) who also gathered at the front of the chamber to voice their dissent. Among those participating in the protest were South Galolhu MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem, Keyodhoo MP Mohamed Niushad, South Hulhumale' MP Dr. Ahmed Shamheed, and Maavah MP Ahmed Shakir.
As members began their protest, the presiding chair repeatedly issued warnings to the floor. After cautioning that the next step would involve naming members and ordering their removal from the chamber, the chair first named MP Ziyad. This was followed by the naming of MP Meekail and MP Niushad.
During Tuesday’s parliamentary session, three additional members from the MDP were named for disciplinary reasons. However, the session was briefly adjourned after the members refused to leave the floor. The sitting resumed only after the named members were removed from the chamber.
